Unlocking UN Security Council meetings with AI

Across multiple UN Security Council meetings, various calls for action were made, focusing on several key areas:

1. Conflict Prevention and Early Action: Many speakers emphasized the need for the Council to prioritize conflict prevention and make better use of preventive diplomacy tools. For example, in the meeting on conflict prevention, Switzerland’s representative stated: “This Council must fully assume its role in prevention. On the one hand, it must better use the instruments under Chapter 6, which enable it to make recommendations for the peaceful settlement of disputes.”
2. Incorporating Scientific and Technological Developments: In the meeting on scientific developments, there were calls for the Council to engage more with the scientific community. The UK representative suggested the Council should “deepen its collaboration with the scientific community and systematically to incorporate scientific analysis into reports and briefings on existing council files.”
3. UN Security Council Reform: Several speakers, particularly in the meeting on multilateral cooperation, called for reform of the Council to make it more representative and effective. India’s representative stated: “The core of India’s position on reformed multilateralism, therefore, lies in a call for the reform of the UN Security Council that is reflective of contemporary realities of today.”
4. Addressing Climate Change and Food Insecurity: In the meeting on climate change and food insecurity, there were calls for the Council to take more action on climate-related security risks. Ireland called for the Council to “adopt a thematic UN Security Council resolution on climate, peace, and security” and “appoint a special representative for climate, peace, and security”.
5. Artificial Intelligence Governance: In the meeting on artificial intelligence, there were calls for the Council to take a leadership role in AI governance. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the Council to “exercise leadership on artificial intelligence and show the way towards common measures for the transparency, accountability and oversight of AI systems.”
6. Strengthening Peacekeeping: In the meeting on peacekeeping, there were calls for clearer mandates and better resourcing of peacekeeping operations. Jean-Pierre Lacroix stated: “Mandates must be prioritized, achievable, adaptable to changing circumstances and sufficiently resourced. This is a critical factor for any mission to be fit for purpose.”
7. Enhancing Regional Partnerships: In the meeting on regional arrangements for peace, there were calls to strengthen cooperation with regional organizations. The representative of Germany urged the Council to “explore new avenues to foster cooperation, dialogue with regional organizations in order to make the best use of their experience with regard to regional and subnational mediation and dialogue facilitation, as well as prevention efforts.”
8. Addressing Specific Crises: In the meeting on women, peace and security, several representatives called for action on specific crises:
   • The representative of Myanmar called on the Security Council to “act by using its full authority and responsibility to help end the crisis in Myanmar.”
   • The representative of Afghanistan called for the Council to “press the Taliban to uphold international human rights obligations, recognizing gender apartheid as a crime to ensure justice” and to “act in cohesion and unity to find a political settlement by implementing relevant Security Council resolutions on Afghanistan.”
   • The representative of Lebanon called on the Council to “put an end to this barbaric aggression against our people, to impose an immediate ceasefire, and to implement Resolution 1701 in all its components.”
   • The representative of Palestine called upon the Council to “shoulder your mandated responsibilities and work on releasing all Palestinian women prisoners from Israeli occupation prisons.”

These calls for action reflect a desire for a more proactive, inclusive, and effective Security Council that can address complex global challenges and specific regional crises.

Several proposals were made for implementing the “New Agenda for Peace” across multiple UN Security Council meetings:

1. Developing national prevention strategies, as mentioned by the EU representative in the Conflict prevention and the New Agenda for Peace meeting: “Let us embrace the Secretary General’s call for countries to develop national prevention strategies. This is our chance to make a difference for a more peaceful future.”
2. Integrating scientific knowledge into the New Agenda for Peace, as proposed by Sierra Leone’s representative in the Scientific developments, peace and security meeting: “One of our intentions is to work with Council members to integrate scientific knowledge into the Secretary-General’s New Agenda for Peace as affirmed in the Pact for the Future. Leveraging data-driven insights and the latest scientific tools into ALIA can enhance our collective ability to anticipate and prevent conflict.”
3. Prioritizing women’s participation and adopting gender-sensitive approaches, as suggested by Costa Rica’s representative in the Conflict prevention – empowering all actors meeting: “prioritizing the application of Resolution 2493, particularly the provision on creating enabling environments for women’s participation, strengthening coordination between missions and United Nations organizations, and adopting a gender-sensitive approach to digital participation tools.”
4. Developing national strategies on responsible AI use, as proposed by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in the Artificial intelligence meeting: “It will recommend that Member States develop national strategies on the responsible design, development, and use of AI, consistent with their obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights law.”
5. Reviewing UN peace operations, as suggested by Austria’s representative in the Peacekeeping meeting: “Austria strongly supports the envisaged review of all UN peace operations. This would provide the opportunity to build on the study for the peacekeeping ministerial next year and look at UN peace operations holistically across the whole peace continuum, from prevention and peacemaking to peacekeeping and peacebuilding.”
6. Enhancing collaboration between UN bodies, as proposed by Germany’s representative in the Regional arrangements for peace meeting: “We support the call for more effective collaboration between the Peacebuilding Commission and each of the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Security Council and the Human Rights Council.”

These proposals aim to strengthen conflict prevention, enhance peacekeeping efforts, and promote a more holistic approach to peace and security within the framework of the New Agenda for Peace.

Additionally, the importance of women’s participation in peace and security efforts was highlighted in the Women, peace and security meeting. While specific proposals for the implementation of the “New Agenda for Peace” were not discussed in this session, the emphasis on women’s role in peace processes aligns with the overall goals of the agenda.

Proposals for conflict prevention were discussed at various levels across multiple UNSC meetings. These included:

International Level:

• Strengthening the UN’s role in conflict prevention Conflict prevention and the New Agenda for Peace
• Enhancing coherence within the UN system and partnerships beyond Peace and common development
• Using diplomacy to bridge global divides, as emphasized by USG Rosemary DiCarlo: diplomacy to bridge the growing divides in the world and to ensure that unmitigated competition does not trample humanity Conflict prevention – empowering all actors
• Establishing a “group of friends of conflict prevention” Conflict prevention – empowering all actors
• Using AI for peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts Artificial intelligence
• Protecting and promoting the human rights of all women and girls, as urged by the representative of Canada on behalf of the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security: We urge all member states, the UN system, and other stakeholders to protect and promote the human rights of all women and girls, and ensure women’s full, equal, meaningful, and safe participation and leadership in all aspects of peace and security Women, peace and security

Regional Level:

• Enhancing cooperation between the UN and regional organizations Conflict prevention and the New Agenda for Peace
• Highlighting successful regional models like ASEAN Peace and common development
• Appointing a special representative on Climate and Security for regional climate-related security risks Conflict prevention – empowering all actors
• Strengthening partnerships with regional organizations, as stated by Algeria’s representative: Fostering partnerships with regional, sub-regional organizations, primarily the African Union, seems to us essential Peacekeeping
• Connecting women leaders with regional and broader networks, as proposed by the representative of Tonga on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum: We need programs that connect women leaders with regional and broader networks to amplify their voices Women, peace and security

National Level:

• Developing national prevention strategies Conflict prevention and the New Agenda for Peace
• Creating conducive trade and financing arrangements for developing countries Peace and common development
• Integrating climate and food security into conflict prevention Climate change and food insecurity
• Supporting host countries in peacekeeping transition phases Peacekeeping
• Creating good offices at the request of states, as suggested by the representative of Chile: Chile has suggested identifying the opportunities for creating good offices at the request of states by setting up a map of regional conflicts Women, peace and security

Local Level:

• Implementing inclusive approaches involving civil society, as highlighted by Switzerland’s representative: Prevention is effective if it emanates from the local level. Switzerland recognises this by delegating many powers to the regional and local level and by encouraging, for example, civil society initiatives to combat extremism, violence and marginalisation Conflict prevention and the New Agenda for Peace
• Supporting states affected by conflict in post-conflict peacebuilding Peace and common development
• Focusing on national, local, and community-led interventions Conflict prevention – empowering all actors
• Providing focused attention on capacity building and mental health care of peacekeepers Peacekeeping
• Seeking meaningful participation of women in conflict-affected communities, as stated by the representative of the Philippines: Actively seek the meaningful participation of women in the communities affected by conflict Women, peace and security

Additionally, there were proposals to use scientific and technological advancements, particularly AI, for conflict prevention across all levels. For instance, Guyana’s representative suggested science to predict the effects and prevent catastrophic consequences from these drivers of conflict can be an apt illustration of how science and technology can positively impact peace and security. Such use of scientific tools to identify climate change risks to national, regional, and international peace and security, and the interplay between them, can be an example of how science and technology can be used to prevent conflicts Scientific developments, peace and security.

Several UN Security Council meetings addressed proposals for enhancing the participation of women, youth, and civil society in peace and security efforts. Key themes included:

• Inclusive approaches: Many speakers emphasized the importance of inclusive approaches to conflict prevention and peacebuilding. For instance, in the Conflict prevention and the New Agenda for Peace meeting, Austria’s representative advocated for “a more inclusive approach to conflict prevention and peace building based on the full and effective promotion and protection of human rights.” Similarly, the representative of Malta proposed to “strengthen our collective commitment to bridge the gap and translate it into concrete actions of gender-responsive policies.”
• Women’s participation: The importance of women’s participation was highlighted across multiple meetings. In the Peacekeeping meeting, Jean-Pierre Lacroix “strongly urged member states to provide greater access for women to military leadership positions at home and to nominate them for service in our peacekeeping operations.” The representative of Sri Lanka proposed to “mandate a minimum quota for women in peace negotiations and establish leadership programs that train women in conflict resolutions, negotiations, and diplomacy.”
• Youth engagement: Several proposals focused on youth involvement. In the Conflict prevention – empowering all actors meeting, Denmark’s representative called for “making the Secretary General’s upcoming third report on Youth, Peace, and Security the subject of an open debate.” The representative of Mexico suggested “involving young people in mediation and peace-building efforts, establishing synergies between the agendas of women, peace and security, and that of young people, peace and security.”
• Civil society involvement: The role of civil society was emphasized in several meetings. In the Peacekeeping meeting, Chile’s representative stated that “the Security Council must improve its commitment to local actors, civil society organizations, women’s groups, youth organizations, academics, journalists, and activists in general, so that their perspectives and experiences can be taken into account during the decision-making process.”
• Financing and support: Some proposals addressed the need for financial support. In the Conflict prevention – empowering all actors meeting, Luxembourg’s representative called for “concrete measures to address existing financing gaps for youth-led initiatives.”
• Awareness and specific needs: The representative of Germany emphasized the need to “improve lives and raise awareness for specific situations and needs. This is a task for all of us.”

These proposals collectively emphasize the need for a more inclusive, diverse, and participatory approach to peace and security efforts, recognizing the valuable contributions that women, youth, and civil society can make to these processes.

Several UN Security Council meetings addressed the nexus between climate, peace, and security, with various proposals put forward:

• In the Conflict Prevention meeting, Fiji called for the appointment of a special representative of the Secretary General on Climate and Security, and the deployment of dedicated staff, such as the Climate Security Advisors. The US emphasized the need for a robust response from national governments, UN entities, and the Security Council.
• During the Climate Change and Food Insecurity meeting, the Group of Friends on Climate and Security proposed systematically incorporating climate change risks in UN mission mandates. Ireland suggested adopting a thematic UN Security Council resolution on climate, peace, and security and appointing a special representative for climate, peace, and security.
• In the Peace and Common Development meeting, the UAE welcomed the inclusion of climate-related risk analysis in UNMISS reporting. Kenya called for elevated attention to climate change challenges in relation to peace and security.
• During the Regional Arrangements for Peace meeting, Slovenia emphasized the role of regional cooperation, stating, “There is a role for the Security Council in discussing climate security in the context of conflict prevention. Closer cooperation with regional and sub-regional organizations and mechanisms can help us better understand the specific linkages between climate, peace, and security, and to devise climate-sensitive responses to prevent or mitigate potential conflicts”.
• In the Women, Peace and Security meeting, several representatives highlighted the importance of addressing the gender dimension in climate, peace, and security issues:
  • Greece emphasized “Greece places particular focus on the nexus between gender, climate and security, and its cumulative negative effect on women’s well-being, highlighting the urgent need to enhance their protection, as well as their agency as local knowledge holders and valuable partners in mitigation efforts”.
  • Maldives proposed that “As climate change worsens, women across the world, especially women in conflict zones, are exposed to greater levels of insecurity and vulnerability. Recognizing the challenges they face, any solutions to address climate change and other emerging security threats must build on the experience of women”.
  • Tonga, speaking on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum, mentioned their regional architecture that “supports integrated resilience across all our Pacific communities and sectors, including in the areas of climate change and environmental degradation”.

These proposals collectively emphasize the need for institutional mechanisms, dedicated personnel, enhanced cooperation, and gender-sensitive approaches to address the complex interplay between climate change, peace, and security in UN operations and decision-making processes.

Several UN Security Council meetings have addressed the nexus between development, peace, and security, proposing various approaches to strengthen this interconnection:

1. Accelerating implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a conflict prevention measure. The representative of Thailand emphasized addressing root causes of conflicts through SDG implementation.
2. Supporting developing countries in scientific and technological progress. In the meeting on scientific developments, China’s representative stressed the importance of helping developing countries benefit from technological advancements.
3. Reforming global financial institutions to better support developing economies. In the meeting on peace and common development, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for reforms to make international financial institutions more responsive to developing countries’ needs.
4. Increasing funding for the UN’s Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace Agenda. Brazil’s representative emphasized this need in the same meeting.
5. Enhancing collaboration between the Security Council and other UN bodies. Japan’s representative proposed increased engagement with bodies like the Peacebuilding Commission to incorporate development expertise into the Council’s work.
6. Adopting a universal approach to conflict prevention. In the meeting on conflict prevention, USG Rosemary DiCarlo emphasized that all countries must address conflict drivers in their societies.
7. Increasing participation of women and youth in conflict prevention and resolution. Peru’s representative highlighted this in the same meeting on conflict prevention.
8. Investing in climate-resilient agriculture. In the meeting on climate change and food insecurity, Sierra Leone’s representative suggested this as a way to yield peace dividends.
9. Harnessing AI for sustainable development and security. The meeting on artificial intelligence explored AI’s potential in realizing human rights, accelerating sustainable development, and supporting post-conflict reconstruction.
10. Expanding peacekeeping operations to address emerging security threats. In the meeting on peacekeeping, Switzerland’s representative called for peacekeeping operations to tackle issues like transnational organized crime and climate change impacts.
11. Strengthening regional, sub-regional, and bilateral arrangements. The meeting on regional arrangements for peace emphasized the role of such arrangements in bolstering socioeconomic ties and contributing to preventive diplomacy.
12. Supporting local women-led organizations in conflict zones. The representative of Norway highlighted the importance of these organizations in de-escalating conflicts and providing humanitarian assistance.
13. Investing in education, particularly for girls. The representative of the Philippines emphasized this as a crucial factor in addressing the development-peace-security nexus.
14. Developing integrated resilience frameworks. The representative of Tonga, speaking on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum, described an architecture that supports integrated resilience across various sectors, including climate change, economic development, and education.

These proposals collectively emphasize a holistic approach to addressing the development-peace-security nexus, recognizing the interconnected nature of these challenges and the need for collaborative, multi-faceted solutions.

Several UN Security Council meetings addressed the nexus between human rights, peace, and security, with various proposals put forward:

• In the meeting on conflict prevention, the Human Rights Conflict Prevention Caucus emphasized that “Human rights are at the very core of conflict prevention. History teaches us that the systematic violation and abuse of human rights is a strong indicator and an early warning sign of conflict. Upholding the human rights of every individual helps to prevent conflict and contribute to sustainable peace.”
• The meeting on artificial intelligence saw proposals for AI governance based on human rights. Malta’s representative emphasized that AI governance should be “based on fundamental rights and the rule of law.”
• During the peacekeeping meeting, Guatemala’s representative proposed that “the link between the human rights and peacekeeping agendas offers a unique strategy for changing the paradigm from a culture of crisis mitigation to a culture of prevention, particularly in the global context in which human rights tend to be infringed upon or undermined as a result of security approaches.”
• In the meeting on regional arrangements for peace, the United States representative underscored “the need for full integration of the promotion of respect for human rights and the advancement of national rule of law and international law into the Commission’s context – development and peace cannot advance without full consideration of these issues.”
• The meeting on peace and common development saw proposals linking human rights to sustainable development and conflict resolution. Switzerland’s representative emphasized that “no society can benefit from common development without the exclusion of all its members, and no society can prevent and resolve conflict without the equitable integration of women into peace processes.”
• In the meeting on women, peace, and security, several proposals were made:
  • The Group of Friends of Women, Peace, and Security, represented by Canada, called for “justice and accountability for any violations of human rights of all women and girls. We also draw attention to the structural causes of gender inequality, stereotypes, and negative social norms that perpetuate violence and conflict.”
  • Malta’s representative proposed to “pursue all available mechanisms to ensure justice and accountability for gross violations of women’s rights. These include targeted sanctions and leveraging the mandates of the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice.”
  • Liechtenstein’s representative highlighted the role of the International Criminal Court, stating that “the persecution of women and girls in Afghanistan likely constitutes a crime against humanity. I recall the International Criminal Court’s jurisdiction and its role to advance accountability for that crime, among many others committed.”

These proposals collectively emphasize the importance of integrating human rights considerations into peace and security efforts, from conflict prevention to peacekeeping and development initiatives. They also highlight the need for accountability mechanisms, particularly in addressing violations of women’s rights and gender-based violence in conflict situations.

Several UN Security Council meetings discussed proposals for enhancing the role of other UN actors in peace and security, particularly the UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC). Key themes that emerged across multiple sessions include:

1. Strengthening the PBC’s advisory role: Many representatives called for enhancing the PBC’s advisory function to the Security Council. For example, in the Conflict Prevention meeting, Ambassador Sergio França Danese, Chair of the PBC, stated: “The Commission hopes that the role of the Security Council on Prevention is strengthened. The Peacebuilding Commission is ready to continue to provide to Member States the political space to discuss their prevention strategies and to work as a bridge for the Security Council in its considerations on countries that are undergoing conflict or transitioning from conflict.”
2. Expanding the PBC’s scope: Several representatives suggested broadening the PBC’s mandate to address emerging challenges. In the Climate Change and Food Insecurity meeting, Japan’s representative stated: “The PBC should continue to broaden its scope to cover matters that can affect conflicts such as those arising from climate change and food insecurity and actively provide recommendations to the Council.”
3. Enhancing cooperation with other UN bodies: Proposals were made to improve collaboration between the PBC and other UN entities. In the Peace and Common Development meeting, Germany’s representative suggested: “Formalizing the PBC’s relationship with IFIs and regional development banks, and further strengthening its cooperation with ECOSOC, would be important steps towards operationalizing and strengthening its impact.”
4. Leveraging the PBC’s convening power: Many speakers highlighted the PBC’s unique position to bring together diverse stakeholders. In the Conflict Prevention meeting, Bangladesh’s representative emphasized “the importance of increasing the engagement between the Security Council and the Peacebuilding Commission. The Peacebuilding Commission is in a better position to empower all actors by convening all the stakeholders of the conflict situations and therefore bringing their views and perspective to the Council.”
5. Promoting women’s inclusion and gender equality: Several representatives emphasized the importance of the PBC in advancing women’s participation in peace processes. In the Women, Peace and Security meeting, the representative of Brazil, speaking as chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, stated: “The PBC also encourages members to adopt targets for women’s inclusion.” The representative of Sierra Leone added: “We also emphasize utilizing the potentials of the Peacebuilding Commission in bringing the voice of the women, especially the women’s organizations, in the discussions of the UN related to peace and security.”
6. Supporting fragile states and local initiatives: The PBC’s role in assisting countries transitioning towards peace was highlighted. The representative of Croatia stated: “We would also like to underline the important role that the Peacebuilding Commission can have in supporting fragile states as they transition towards peace, including through the support of civil society and women’s organizations at the local level.”

Additionally, in the Artificial Intelligence meeting, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres proposed creating “a new United Nations entity to support collective efforts to govern this extraordinary technology, inspired by such models as the International Atomic Energy Agency, the International Civil Aviation Organization, or the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change,” highlighting the potential for new UN actors to address emerging global challenges.

Several UNSC meetings discussed proposals regarding the role of regional organizations, particularly the African Union (AU), in peace and security:

In the meeting on conflict prevention, Algeria’s representative suggested that “Understanding the annual consultation between the UN Peacebuilding Commission and the African Union Peace and Security Council could be, should be, a concrete entry point to align the priorities and coordinate the effort between the AU and the UN on this important chapter.” They also proposed to “Adopt a collaborative approach that involves all relevant stakeholders, such as the United Nations, regional organizations, and civil society, to enhance women’s role in peace and security through partnerships and cooperation.”

The meeting on peace and common development emphasized strengthening partnerships with regional organizations. Ghana’s representative proposed “We also see an advantage in strengthening networked multilateralism through partnerships with regional arrangements such as the African Union and its regional economic communities like ECOWAS to detect at an early stage warnings of conflict and to mobilize action to prevent them.”

In the meeting on conflict prevention, USG Rosemary DiCarlo stated that “regional arrangements and organizations are crucial to prevention. They can bring credibility and legitimacy to develop – to diplomatic efforts, increase trust, and provide mechanisms for crisis management.” Italy’s representative suggested that “Regional organizations must be involved in the decision-making process that leads to the adoption of relevant resolutions. And the Peacebuilding Commission must have a central role in building a network of peacebuilders based on regional organizations able to provide the Security Council with advice reflecting their positions.”

The meeting on peacekeeping highlighted the adoption of Security Council Resolution 2719, which enables AU-led peace support operations to access UN-assessed contributions. The US representative noted that “In some cases, it may be more appropriate and effective for the AU or a regional organization to lead the response. And with the historic adoption of Security Council Resolution 2719, we now have a mechanism for the UN to support AU peace support operations authorized by the Council.”

In the meeting on regional arrangements for peace, several African nations called for increased financial support for AU-led peace operations. Sierra Leone’s representative proposed “We thus fully subscribe to the African Union’s Assembly proposal adopted as a consensus paper on predictable, adequate, and sustainable financing based on its suggested tripartite actionable funding models, namely United Nations Assessed Contributions for Hybrid Missions, Assessed Contributions to a United Nations Support Office Model, and direct support to the African Union sub-regional peace support operations.”

In the meeting on women, peace and security, the representative of Tonga, speaking on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum, proposed: “We propose that in its support for women-led and women-owned mediation, the Security Council first encourages regional organizations and national governments to support the development of locally-led women mediation networks, and where they exist, develop consistent, sustained, transparent and risk-informed modalities of systematic and institutionalized engagement of women mediators’ networks.” The representative of Angola called on “the international community to support initiatives that promote the role of women in peace building and climate resilience, ensuring that resources are allocated equitably and that best practices are shared.”

Several UN Security Council meetings addressed proposals for the responsible use of science, innovation, and technology for peace. Key themes emerged across multiple sessions:

1. Ethical and responsible development: In the Scientific developments, peace and security meeting, the UK representative emphasized that “It is essential that technologies are researched, developed, and deployed responsibly and ethically in accordance with international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.”
2. International cooperation: The Peace and common development session highlighted proposals for international collaboration. Portugal’s representative stated their commitment to “furthering international cooperation in the digital field and enable expertise and experience sharing through multilateral fora, such as the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development, as well as through regional networks like the Portugal-based Atlantic International Research Center, AIR Center.”
3. Bridging the digital divide: The Republic of Korea, in the same meeting, proposed to “double this year’s 21.3% increase in its ODA budget next year, focusing our ODA on education, training, and green technology. We’ll also play a leading role in building the digital divide.” In the Women, peace and security session, the representative of Tonga, speaking on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum, suggested that “Implementing technology-driven programs could be the key difference in allowing women to access resources and networks that otherwise would be inaccessible to them. It can be the medium through which collaborative opportunities across regions can be facilitated.”
4. AI for good: The Artificial intelligence meeting featured several proposals. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for “a race to develop AI for good, to develop AI that is reliable and safe, and that can end poverty, banish anger, cure cancer and supercharge climate action.” Malta outlined an ethical AI framework based on human-centric principles and respect for human rights.
5. Technology in peacekeeping: The Peacekeeping session discussed leveraging technology for more effective missions. The UK representative proposed “We must continue to strengthen missions by boosting peacekeeping intelligence, situational awareness, embracing new technologies such as AI, and tackling sexual exploitation and abuse.”
6. Gender-responsive approaches: In the Women, peace and security session, several proposals were made to address gender issues in technology and peace. The representative of Costa Rica requested that “the Secretary General’s annual report on WPS address cyberspace and digital technologies, including the dimensions of gender and the impacts of cyber incidents.” The representative of Latvia called for “gender-responsive reforms in the security sector and beyond, ensuring that the human rights of all women and girls are upheld and that survivors of conflict-related sexual violence receive holistic, comprehensive, survivor-centered, and trauma-informed support and services, as well as access to justice and remedies, and the perpetrators are held accountable without exception.”

These proposals collectively emphasize the need for responsible, ethical, and collaborative approaches to harnessing science, innovation, and technology for peace, with a growing focus on gender-responsive strategies and bridging digital divides.

Several UN Security Council meetings discussed proposals to strengthen peacekeeping and keep it fit for purpose. Key themes included leveraging technology, enhancing cooperation, adapting to new challenges, and increasing women’s participation.

In the meeting on scientific developments, proposals focused on incorporating advanced technologies. Malta’s representative suggested that “Peacekeeping operations can be strengthened by the inclusion of advanced technology in their mandates. Tools such as artificial intelligence and the management of metadata are already showing their value in areas such as logistical planning, risk analysis, and emergency response.”

The meeting on artificial intelligence further explored AI’s potential in peacekeeping. France’s representative noted that AI “can contribute to the safety of blue helmets, to the performance of operations, inter alia to improve protection of civilians.”

The meeting on peacekeeping provided comprehensive proposals. Jean-Pierre Lacroix emphasized that “Mandates must be prioritized, achievable, adaptable to changing circumstances and sufficiently resourced. This is a critical factor for any mission to be fit for purpose.” The UK representative stressed the need to “continue to strengthen missions by boosting peacekeeping intelligence, situational awareness, embracing new technologies such as AI, and tackling sexual exploitation and abuse.”

The meeting on regional arrangements for peace highlighted the importance of regional partnerships. India’s representative suggested that “These forces need to be reconfigured to actively liaise with regional forces. It is equally important to build capacities and capabilities of potential regional partners as well as host states.”

The meeting on women, peace and security emphasized the importance of increasing women’s participation in peacekeeping. India’s representative stated that “As we look towards the 25th anniversary of Resolution 1325, India will continue to strive towards further increase in women’s representation in our peacekeeping contingents, sharing best practices and support capacity building initiatives for women peace builders.” The representative of Mongolia highlighted Cambodia’s progress, noting that it “has demonstrated remarkable ambition by achieving 20.7% women participation in 2024, surpassing the UN target of 15%.” El Salvador’s representative emphasized that “it is crucial to include this agenda when peace operations are deployed.”

These proposals collectively aim to modernize peacekeeping operations, enhance their effectiveness, ensure they remain adaptable to evolving global challenges, and increase women’s participation in peacekeeping efforts.